Hello,
I am on F1 status and I'm experiencing economic hardship due to the new disease COVID19. I'm on partial fund (61 %) and 20 hours work on campus ( almost minimum wage).
According to USCIS, I should be at least on year on F1 status to be eligible for economic hardship work authorization. but there is a " Special Student Relief
" section in USCIS response to COVID19 that says "Special Student Relief is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of Homeland Security for F‑1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. Examples of emergent circumstances include natural catastrophe, war and military conflicts, and national or international financial crises."
Does that mean I can be exempt from that rule(at least one year on F!)? how to ask USCIS about this question?
the link for USCIS special situations: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations
https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-announcements/030520Guidance4interruptionsrelated2CoronavirusCOVID19
Talk to your DSO. Keep in close touch with your international student office.
Not necessarily. Following is from the Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus, updated today.
https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-announcements/030520Guidance4interruptionsrelated2CoronavirusCOVID19
" For students enrolled and performing FWS at a campus that must close due to COVID-19, or for a FWS student who is employed by an employer that closes as a result of COVID-19, the institution may continue paying the student Federal work-study wages during that closure if it occurred after the beginning of the term, the institution is continuing to pay its other employees (including faculty and staff), and the institution continues to meet its institutional wage share requirement."
Do you have confirmation you won't be getting paid? Try contacting your school administration if they are available. I would be almost certain employees within your institution are being paid, and as per the guidelines, you should continue to receive your check.
Someone more informed regarding this precarious issue may help you with this. Good luck
